Astronomy Question: Amount of Matter in Our Universe?
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Mark asks,
Dear Astronomer,
Is the amount of matter in the Universe finite or infinite, and why do you think so?
Mark,
I’ll be the first to admit I’m more of an observational astronomer, and not much of a cosmologist or theoretical physicist.
That being said, the answer to your question varies depending on how you look at it. As far as matter you can see, touch, taste, or smell, there is a finite amount of it.
Since we can measure (roughly) the matter in the observable universe, and we know the universe is expanding, we’re actually in an exciting time where the density of matter in the universe is at a balance point.
However….. if you peer deep into the subatomic and “quantum” level – it could be said that there is an infinite amount of matter that pops into and out of existence. Since cosmology and theoretical physics are a bit out of my field, I’ll let ASU professor Lawrence Krauss help explain:
Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer
2012-12-04 08:07:42
Source: http://www.dearastronomer.com/2012/05/04/amount-of-matter-in-our-universe/
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